JEFFREY MILLER TO SPEAK AT THE ASLA-NCC SOUTH BAY LECTURE SERIES ON SEPT. 24

September 14, 2015 - Join the ASLA-NCC for a panel discussion with three Bay Area professionals who have very different and successful careers. Jeffrey Miller, Katrina Majewski and Chip Sullivan will discuss what worked and what didn't as they each pursued unconventional career paths and adapted to the vagaries of the economy. The discussions will end with a Q&A session where the audience can find out more about developing interesting and fulfilling careers.

Jeffrey Miller of Miller Company Landscape Architects

Jeffrey will discuss how he started his design/build firm after his career development on the East Coast and in the Bay Area, including Garrett Eckbo Associates. He will share his unique insight into balancing entrepreneurship with a strong ethical foundation that draws from the very reasons why he became a landscape architect.

Katrina Majewski of Community Design Research

Katrina worked at an IT company for 5 years during the economic recession. She will discuss how she stayed relevant in the field of landscape architecture and now continues with her career at Community Design Research in Oakland.

Chip Sullivan of UC Berkeley

Chip is an award winning artist, landscape architect and professor at UC Berkeley. He has successfully navigated his academic career, teaching at University of Florida, Harvard, and Berkeley. Chip will discuss his career successes in the art world, landscape architecture and teaching.

Moderator: Thomas Eddy, City of San Jose

When: Thursday,September 24

Where: Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 North 5th Street, San Jose

Reception: 5:30 - 6:00

Discussion: 6:00 - 7:30

Cost: ASLA Members $10, Non-members $15, Students with Current I.D. Free

August 17, 2015 - Today, Willie Brown Middle School, the first new school to be built in ten years and one of the greenest facilities in the city, opens its doors to 6th grade students! Located in Bayview, the 88,000 square foot project offers a health and community center, high-tech classrooms, science labs, art and music programs, state-of-the-art gym and a modern cafeteria. Over 350 applications were received for the 200 coveted spots available for the 6th grade. 7th graders will be added next year and 8th graders the following year for a total of a 650-student capacity.

The ribbon cutting ceremony held last week was attended by many key fixtures of the city including Ed Lee, Willie Brown, the Brown family, and Richard Carranza. View photos of the construction as it has progressed here.

UPCOMING ONSITE TOURS HOSTED BY SPUR

August 3, 2015 - San Francisco Planning & Urban Research (SPUR) will be hosting tours for two of our current projects, Willie Brown Middle School and MacArthur Station.

Willie Brown Middle School, one of the greenest new schools in the city, will feature district-owned solar, stormwater management and a green schoolyard. The tour will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5 at noon and will include the project team and district officials. Learn more here.

MacArthur Station, a transit village for Oakland, features a 478-stall BART parking garage, a 90-unit affordable housing project, and a 500-unit housing development with an activated ground floor. The tour will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 4pm. To sign up, click here.

BERESFORD PARK RENOVATION

July 13, 2015 - We are currently in the planning stages of a large redesign for San Mateo's popular Beresford Park. It is over 25 years old and in need of upgrades for safety and enjoyment. The San Mateo Daily Journal recently wrote a piece regarding the efforts to raise money as well as what we all hope to accomplish in rebuilding this community treasure.

May 18, 2015 - Miller Company's project at Pacific Cannery Lofts in Oakland has been included in the recently published book Artful Rainwater Design by Stuart Echols and Eliza Pennypacker. "Artful Rainwater Design is a must-have resource for landscape architects, urban designers, civil engineers, and architects who won't let stormwater regulations cramp their style, and who understand that for a design to truly be sustainable, people must appreciate and love it. It is a tool for creating landscapes that celebrate rain for the life-giving resource it is—and contribute to more sustainable, healthy, and even fun, built environments."

Check out the excerpt here...or even better, pick up the book at your favorite local bookstore!

Publisher: Island Press

Year: 2015

ISBN: 9781610912662

LANDSCAPING FOR CHILDREN

February 25, 2015 - Check out a recent article published in Total Landscaping Care that discusses how (and why) to create beautiful landscapes that are fun, safe, and interactive for children! Miller Company, which is passionate about sustainable design, was noted for work completed on the campus of The San Francisco School (where hands-on learning tools include a compost pile, goats, rabbits and an adventure playground that includes a rocky stream) and Sherman Elementary (which features a green space where kids can learn more about the environment by plant and insect identification, composting, and water conservation).

FUNDRAISING GOAL REACHED FOR HILLTOP'S RENOVATED SKATEPARK, DISH

February 17, 2015 - The fundraising goal of $10,000 for renovating the skateboarding landmark, Dish, in Bayview's Hilltop (Sundial) Park has been reached! Many thanks to all who contributed! The Tony Hawk Foundation graciously granted $10,000 to The Trust of Public Land and offered an additional $5,000 if the community could match their initial donation...for a grand total of over $25,000 raised!

The Dish was originally built in the 1970s and was in need of serious repair. Grindline, an industry leading consultant, will be helping us with the design of a state-of-the-art skatepark which is part of the larger renovation of Hilltop Park that includes new playgrounds, walking paths, fitness and picnic areas, and community art.

A special thanks to The Trust for Public Land's partners: SF Recreation and Parks, Parks 94124, Hunters Point Family, Mack5 Construction Management, Grindline Skateparks, Thrasher, SLXSF and community members!

Donations are still being accepted and are much appreciated! Learn more about the park here.

BOOT CAMP, CLEAN UP DAY AND NATURE WALK AT HILLTOP PARK ON MARCH 21

February 12, 2015 - Join us for another Community Clean Up Day at Hilltop Park on Saturday, March 21! Help RPD gardeners prune vegetation and spruce up the park! Beginning at 9am, the Bayview YMCA Mobile Fitness Team will be offering a Mini Boot Camp to help everyone warm up for the event. After the cleanup, enjoy a free lunch [noon-12:30pm] and a Nature Walk [12:30-2:00pm] led by Josiah Clark who will be discussing biodiversity of Sundial Park and the Bayview.

All tools and materials will be provided, please bring your own water bottle.

To RSVP, or for more information, contact Trudy Garber of the Trust for Public Land at 415.800.5274.

JEFFREY MILLER WILL BE A GUEST SPEAKER AT ASLA'S PANEL DISCUSSION ON CAREER CHALLENGES, JAN. 29

January 22, 2015 - Join this discourse on building and guiding your career with a panel discussion by architects and landscape architects. Discover new ways to make your career happen for you as panelists share how they reshaped their careers. The American Society of Landscape Architects in conjunction with the Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals will be hosting the event.